...Gamecocks (8-3) have won four of their past five games, the game suddenly looks like a big deal for South Carolina, too.

That is chiefly because South Carolina now looks to have a legitimate chance of winning the game, not a great chance, it still is a 14-point underdog, but the Gamecocks have made up more ground on their in-state rival in the last year than most expected. Clemson won last yearís game 56-7 and although it had to replace Deshaun Watson, Mike Williams and plenty of other talent, is moving toward another special season. In the meantime, though, the Gamecocks have ground out enough progress to head into Saturday night with some confidence in their step.

Here are the possibilities in front of the Gamecocks: win their ninth game of the season, end a three-game losing streak against their archrival, move up the SECís bowl pecking order, give all but one of their players their first win over the Tigers, and, maybe most tantalizing, probably knock Clemson out of CFB Playoff consideration.